I'm stuck in the Cold War and I don't trust those Red bastards at all, but you have to admit that ole Putin is doing a fantastic job marketing his image. The judo, shooting tigers, shirtless horseback riding, flying fire fighting tanker planes.. It all screams "powerful and manly." Think about the Russian psychology post Cold War - they went from being a world power to a backwater, and it's beaten down their national pride. Putin is selling being Russian and powerful to the Russian people; he is working on re-instilling the pride of his people, and I really respect it. Its leadership on a more visceral level.

Lord Soth:I'm stuck in the Cold War and I don't trust those Red bastards at all, but you have to admit that ole Putin is doing a fantastic job marketing his image. The judo, shooting tigers, shirtless horseback riding, flying fire fighting tanker planes.. It all screams "powerful and manly." Think about the Russian psychology post Cold War - they went from being a world power to a backwater, and it's beaten down their national pride. Putin is selling being Russian and powerful to the Russian people; he is working on re-instilling the pride of his people, and I really respect it. Its leadership on a more visceral level.

Wouldn't ever work in the States. We apparently look down on being manly these days.

robohobo:Wouldn't ever work in the States. We apparently look down on being manly these days.

I dont know. I think ole GW tried it a couple times with the brush clearing and the ill fated flight suit. If, God forbid, the US takes a bump as hard as the post Soviet Russians did I think "manly" will start to play better in the US. When things are good, folks don't seem to worry about it because they feel and see the results of being powerful; when things are bad, they need a reassuring image that things are going to get better. Even with the recent troubles, we are still enjoying the boon of being the most powerful country on earth and don't need to reassure ourselves - when our expected lifespan starts dropping to Black Death levels, I am sure we'll see some Washington Crossing the Delaware moments.

Lord Soth:I'm stuck in the Cold War and I don't trust those Red bastards at all, but you have to admit that ole Putin is doing a fantastic job marketing his image. The judo, shooting tigers, shirtless horseback riding, flying fire fighting tanker planes.. It all screams "powerful and manly." Think about the Russian psychology post Cold War - they went from being a world power to a backwater, and it's beaten down their national pride. Putin is selling being Russian and powerful to the Russian people; he is working on re-instilling the pride of his people, and I really respect it. Its leadership on a more visceral level.

I honestly can't say I've followed that closely, but 60% approval rating when he took office and 48% now (I'd tie the ratings slip to the PUSSY RIOT dividedness, itself an indication of public confidence in the government) seems pretty healthy. I don't talk backwards, so I cant read the commie press, but I'm not finding much criticism of his grandstanding in English press.

I honestly can't say I've followed that closely, but 60% approval rating when he took office and 48% now (I'd tie the ratings slip to the PUSSY RIOT dividedness, itself an indication of public confidence in the government) seems pretty healthy. I don't talk backwards, so I cant read the commie press, but I'm not finding much criticism of his grandstanding in English press.

Lord Soth:robohobo:Wouldn't ever work in the States. We apparently look down on being manly these days.

I dont know. I think ole GW tried it a couple times with the brush clearing and the ill fated flight suit.

And he was thoroughly ridiculed for it. Few people look worse than a weak man trying to prove that he is a strong one.

Manliness has largely passed out of demand in the U.S. (and a lot of other places besides, such as Japan) except in certain closed social groups. For women, manliness is now valued chiefly for its sex appeal. Nowadays, manliness is to women what sultriness is to men -- a turn-on, but worthless after the sex is over, and possibly a cause to get rid of you not long after. Even among men, in an economy dominated by the service industry, traditionally manly behavior is more likely to get you fired than get you ahead; and it'll count against you in your bid for public office. Far from admired, you'll be mocked by every flabby cubicle drudge who knows enough to envy you -- much like Putin is. Teddy Roosevelt would be a laughing stock today.

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot but he'll remember with advantages what feats he did that day.

robohobo:Wouldn't ever work in the States. We apparently look down on being manly these days.

I think it's like someone said, non-manly men trying manly stuff get mocked. The only reason Putin gets away with it is because we know he's a vicious, murdering psychopath. It's not manliness itself that is derided.

Slaxl:Baron Harkonnen: What the fark is wrong with you cheering this monster on?

What?The?fark?

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot but he'll remember with advantages what feats he did that day.

robohobo: Wouldn't ever work in the States. We apparently look down on being manly these days.

I think it's like someone said, non-manly men trying manly stuff get mocked. The only reason Putin gets away with it is because we know he's a vicious, murdering psychopath. It's not manliness itself that is derided.

In all honesty I think he needs to die. As a human being he is taking the future away from our children in a manner that is antithetical to human progress.

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

Not sure who this is aimed at, but I don't think anyone here has been applauding Putin's policies. Generally folks in the West believe Putin has managed to subvert the Russian democratic process and establish himself as a strong man, forever dashing the hope Russia will join the West.

I do have to ask - Mass murder? Is there something I can read on those allegations that doesn't come from a wordpress site?

ShannonKW:...Manliness has largely passed out of demand in the U.S. (and a lot of other places besides, such as Japan) except in certain closed social groups. For women, manliness is now valued chiefly for its sex appeal. Nowadays, manliness is to women what sultriness is to men -- a turn-on, but worthless after the sex is over, and possibly a cause to get rid of you not long after...

My summer reading consisted of a good chunk of the "Arkady Renko" series of mysteries from Martin Cruz Smith (famous for "Gorky Park"). Smith has been writing the Arkady character in real time and seem to be quite well researched, so it's been an interesting slice of recent Russian history and culture. I know it's fiction and sensationalized because it's a murder mystery series, after all, but it led me to some googling and the Stalin nostalgia is certainly true and scary. A lot of Russians have felt emasculated since the USSR dissolved, and this kind of ball-swinging seems to be right up their alley, so to speak.

It's rather disturbing just how much is true in those books. I had no idea that the reactor at Chernobyl is actually still running, and must be kept operational or we'll have another, well, Chernobyl. But the people running it can only stay in the area for 3 months at a time. Meanwhile, there are are whole illegal but overlooked villages of elderly people who have moved back into the area because, hey, they're on the way out already, so what's the harm in them growing and eating radioactive potatoes.

Too bad the series isn't as good in later novels. Stalin's Ghost began really well (the "diggers" are fascinating) but the climax was weak. I've put off reading Three Stations as I've heard it's rushed, though I really like the Asperger's chess hustler kid.

Lord Soth:Baron Harkonnen: What the fark is wrong with you cheering this monster on?

What?The?fark?

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

Not sure who this is aimed at, but I don't think anyone here has been applauding Putin's policies. Generally folks in the West believe Putin has managed to subvert the Russian democratic process and establish himself as a strong man, forever dashing the hope Russia will join the West.

I do have to ask - Mass murder? Is there something I can read on those allegations that doesn't come from a wordpress site?

Lord Soth:I'm stuck in the Cold War and I don't trust those Red bastards at all, but you have to admit that ole Putin is doing a fantastic job marketing his image. The judo, shooting tigers, shirtless horseback riding, flying fire fighting tanker planes.. It all screams "powerful and manly." Think about the Russian psychology post Cold War - they went from being a world power to a backwater, and it's beaten down their national pride. Putin is selling being Russian and powerful to the Russian people; he is working on re-instilling the pride of his people, and I really respect it. Its leadership on a more visceral level.

'Spose it depends on yor perspective. I don't see manliness, I see over-compensation and PR spin.

I honestly can't say I've followed that closely, but 60% approval rating when he took office and 48% now (I'd tie the ratings slip to the PUSSY RIOT dividedness, itself an indication of public confidence in the government) seems pretty healthy. I don't talk backwards, so I cant read the commie press, but I'm not finding much criticism of his grandstanding in English press.

He must be very good ruler if he continues being so popular, considering how free and powerful press is. Especially in provinces

Mishno:Lord Soth: Baron Harkonnen: What the fark is wrong with you cheering this monster on?

What?The?fark?

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

Not sure who this is aimed at, but I don't think anyone here has been applauding Putin's policies. Generally folks in the West believe Putin has managed to subvert the Russian democratic process and establish himself as a strong man, forever dashing the hope Russia will join the West.

I do have to ask - Mass murder? Is there something I can read on those allegations that doesn't come from a wordpress site?

Putin's Dark Rise to Power

Wow, that reads like a Tom Clancy novel. They should make a movie out of that story, then they would kn

He looks cool? Is that it? And this makes up for all of the assassinations and mass murder he's authorized? I can't even believe what I'm reading. It makes my head spin.

I think he is an ex-KGB killer that uses violence and force to acquire power and wealth. I do not respect his tactics nor have false impressions that he wouldn't boot stomp my face in for a hot cup of coffee if need be.

That being said, his PR prowless is amazing. Honestly, he gives the impression that there is nothing he can't do.

ruta:My summer reading consisted of a good chunk of the "Arkady Renko" series of mysteries from Martin Cruz Smith (famous for "Gorky Park"). Smith has been writing the Arkady character in real time and seem to be quite well researched, so it's been an interesting slice of recent Russian history and culture. I know it's fiction and sensationalized because it's a murder mystery series, after all, but it led me to some googling and the Stalin nostalgia is certainly true and scary. A lot of Russians have felt emasculated since the USSR dissolved, and this kind of ball-swinging seems to be right up their alley, so to speak.

It's rather disturbing just how much is true in those books. I had no idea that the reactor at Chernobyl is actually still running, and must be kept operational or we'll have another, well, Chernobyl. But the people running it can only stay in the area for 3 months at a time. Meanwhile, there are are whole illegal but overlooked villages of elderly people who have moved back into the area because, hey, they're on the way out already, so what's the harm in them growing and eating radioactive potatoes.

Too bad the series isn't as good in later novels. Stalin's Ghost began really well (the "diggers" are fascinating) but the climax was weak. I've put off reading Three Stations as I've heard it's rushed, though I really like the Asperger's chess hustler kid.

There are still people working at Chernobyl, but all of the reactors are shut down. Reactor 4 blew up, 2 had a fire and was shut down in the 90s, and to the best of my knowledge 1 & 3 have been offline for years.

Thank you both, interesting reading. I will take it with a grain of salt - the Kavkaz Center is a Chechen propaganda tool and necessarily biased; have a look at some of the other articles posted there (U.S. with Gaddafi tortured Muslims). The wiki page referencing the bombings clearly calls it a conspiracy theory. I do appreciate reading the perspective though, and it helps me to widen the aperture in the discussion of ole Putin.

They had a lady on NPR last night who was fired as the editor of a russian newspaper because she wouldn't send a reporter to cover this. She said that a couple of these endangered cranes died because they were crated and shipped to where Putin wanted to start from.